Temporary Housemate

Chapter Eight

For anyone that doesn't know, I tend to rewrite my chapters after I've had chance to read them properly. This now flows better and is semi-coherent. I hope that you like it. any feedback would be gratefully received.

“I am imagination. I can see what the eyes cannot see. I can hear what the ears cannot hear. I can feel what the heart cannot feel .”

– Peter Nivio Zarlenga.

Strolling into the kitchen, I walked towards the fridge to get a drink and to wait for Vince to drag his behind in too. Grabbing a glass from the cupboard, filling it with cool water directly from the fridge and swivelling around on the spot, I face-planted into a solid chest. As I stumbled back towards the fridge, a pair of hands snapped to the top of my arms, pinning me in place but still sloshing water all down my front.

“Seriously Charlotte, did we not just discuss you not hurting yourself? I mean really if you want to fall into my arms, I’m not complaining-” He was being irritatingly egotistical and his actions were simply infuriating me further. Still holding the tops of my arms, he swiftly jerked me into his chest and looking down, directly into my eyes continued, “-I mean, who could resist this?” He released my left arm and directed my attention to his body with a flick of his wrist.

I couldn’t help it, I just laughed, I mean, really? I wasn’t sure if he was trying to be funny or being genuinely obnoxious? Following my brief outburst, I shrugged off the comment and stalked around him to sit at the table. He didn’t even look slightly offended and here I was trying my best not to be embarrassed by the water all over my front and resisting the urge to beat Vince to death with a tray.

“Soooo, I need to discuss expenses with you.”

“Whoa, Whoa there Chewie, stop with the whining demands and irritating gurgling noises! I’m pretty sure we never discussed anything about ‘expenses.’”

“No, Jackass, we didn’t, but unfortunately you also failed to tell me that the ‘room’ that I was to rent from you was actually had unsuitable for human habitation. The bathroom was harbouring more mould than even your undercarriage must have, the bed looked like someone had been murdered on it – most likely by you - and the lack of hygiene and lighting in general was an issue that couldn’t be avoided, although I’m sure it made a perfect bat cave for you when you holed yourself up in there!” My breathing was slightly erratic as I had literally just blurted that out within about thirty seconds, using as much anger and indignation as I could muster.

Out of all of the things that the A-hole could pick up on, his response was a smirk, topped with, “so you do think about me like that then?” and a wiggle of his eye brows. Honestly, Vince was not only obnoxious but he was pushing every button he could to get under my skin. It’s hard to believe that in the space of a day I could feel as much hate towards him as I felt towards myself – but I refused to let that thought go any further. Especially considering how well he pushed me, whether enticing a fiery passion within me or making me want to kill him, he was versatile and dangerous to my sanity.

Ignoring him once more, I literally downed my drink dramatically, scraped my chair out across the floor and just said, “So, with regards to how amazing I’ve made it look up there, I’m expecting my first month of rent free, considering my expenses and the effort exercised to make it look so. To be honest, I’m actually just letting you know because I’m refusing to pay and at least when you get a new tenant you can then charge a realistic rent price.” Winking, I stormed from the kitchen, still rather angry and headed towards the stairs with the intention of going back to my room. On the bottom step however, I couldn’t help but twist enough to see him and let slip, “It’s ok Vince, no need to thank me.”